Chemical Sensors

Background

Figure. ZnO nanostructured film for detection of environmental contaminant via fluorescence quenching and degradation of the contaminant via photocatalytic oxidation.

Development of chemical sensors is of interest for detecting a vast array of targets such as chemical warfare agents, environmental contaminants, and explosive materials. High sensitivity as well as selectivity are ideal characteristics for a sensor material. Surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) active materials are capable of sensing molecules at very low concentration. A current research aim of our lab is to develop sensors capable of both detection of trace contaminants as well as degradation of the contaminants via photocatalytic processes.